A retrospective examination of early pest and disease outbreaks, such as ink disease, offers new insights into their impact on ecosystems and landscapes. Ink disease, caused by Phytophthora spp., is one of the most destructive diseases affecting Castanea sativa Mill. It first appeared in Europe in the early 18th century, with the initial recorded case in Italy (Piedmont) dating back to 1845. However, its spread instilled significant concerns in several chestnut-growing regions primarily devoted to fruit production. In 1938, a comprehensive assessment of Phytophthora xcambivora outbreaks was conducted in the Bolognese Apennines (Italy), providing a detailed overview of chestnut cultivation status. Thirty-six disease foci were documented, and laboratory tests confirmed the presence of ink disease. To understand the disease’s impact on chestnut ecosystem and landscape over the past 85 years, the 1938 sites were revisited to assess chestnut persistence and phytosanitary status, with Phytophthora species detected using isolation and molecular techniques. Monitoring data revealed that C. sativa still thrives in all but one site, with its wood seemingly able to coexist in dynamic equilibrium with the disease. While P. xcambivora was still detected in several foci, the extent of damage appeared limited. The potential for natural control, likely influenced by the complexity of soil biota, along with the natural spread of hypovirulence in chestnut blight and biological control of the Asian chestnut gall wasp, could explain the continued presence of chestnut in the investigated area and potentially throughout the Italian chestnut range, despite nearly two centuries of ink disease prevalence. Nevertheless, ongoing monitoring is essential to dynamically comprehend the factors at play and their efficacy, particularly in the context of climate change and the possible spread of other Phytophthora species. The survival of chestnut ecosystems amidst ink disease underscores the preservation of the economic, ecological, and landscape values associated with these woodlands.

对早期病虫害爆发（例如墨汁病）的回顾性研究，为了解其对生态系统和景观的影响提供了新的见解。墨汁病由疫霉属(Phytophthora spp. ) 引起，是影响板栗最具破坏性的病害之一。它于 18 世纪初首次出现在欧洲，最早记录的病例可以追溯到 1845 年在意大利（皮埃蒙特）。然而，它的传播给几个主要从事水果生产的板栗种植区带来了严重的担忧。 1938 年，对博洛涅亚平宁山脉（意大利）的Phytophthora xcambivora疫情进行了全面评估，详细概述了板栗种植状况。记录了 36 个病灶，实验室测试证实了墨汁病的存在。为了了解该疾病在过去 85 年里对板栗生态系统和景观的影响，我们重新访问了 1938 个地点，以评估板栗的持久性和植物检疫状况，并使用分离和分子技术检测了疫霉属物种。监测数据显示，除了一处地点外，苜蓿仍然在所有地点茁壮成长，其木材似乎能够与疾病动态平衡共存。虽然在几个病灶中仍检测到P. xcambivora，但损害程度似乎有限。自然控制的潜力可能受到土壤生物群复杂性的影响，加上板栗枯萎病低毒力的自然传播和亚洲板栗瘿蜂的生物控制，可以解释板栗在研究区域以及可能在整个地区的持续存在。尽管墨汁病流行近两个世纪，但意大利板栗品种繁多。尽管如此，持续监测对于动态了解起作用的因素及其功效至关重要，特别是在气候变化和其他疫霉​​属物种可能传播的背景下。板栗生态系统在墨汁病中的生存强调了与这些林地相关的经济、生态和景观价值的保护。